5.3 How Can I Sell My Ponies?

MustBeJewel

MustBeJewel

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How Can I Sell My Ponies?


I. Finding out What You Have, What it's Worth, and What to Sell it For
- Making a Price Check or Pony ID Thread
- Searching for Price Checks on Making Ponies Pretty
- Searching for Price Checks on the MLPTP
- Searching for sold items on Ebay

II. How to Sell on the MLPTP
III. Selling on other platforms
IV. Selling in person or at events



I. Make a Price Check or Pony ID Thread:
​
Before selling or trading, always know the value of what you have on hand! Here at the MLPTP, it's quick and easy to have fellow community members help you identify and price your ponies for sale. Bear in mind that the market constantly fluctuates, and there are no official prices or values for any specifics ponies, just what the market shows at any given time.

Keys to Successful Price Check and ID Threads:
  • Take a photo of your pony, or ponies, that you would like to sell.
    • Make sure it is well-lit, clear, and in focus.
    • Numbering or lettering your ponies can help members to tell you which pony is which.
    • For one pony, take a photo of all sides and note any flaws.
    • For groups of ponies, take a photo of the ponies laying on one side, and a photo of them laying on the other side.


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Above: Choose an appropriate prefix. You may ask for a Price Check and ID in the same thread, they do not need to be separate:



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Above: Insert your photos and publish your post.



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Above: Various members will comment with helpful information for you.









How to Search for Price Checks on Making Ponies Pretty

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https://www.makingponiespretty.com/price-check/








How to Search for Previous Price Checks on the MLPTP
​

To search for previously-posted Price Check threads at the MLPTP, start here: http://www.mlptp.net/index.php?search/&type=post

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Keyword: The name of the pony or item you are searching for
Prefix: Price Check

Click "Search" and you'll have all relevant results from previous Price Check threads.






How to Search for Price Checks on Ebay​

Alternatively, you can search for sold listings on Ebay: This enables you to see what nearly any pony or pony item has most recently sold for across the worldwide market.

PLEASE NOTE: Anyone can list a pony for $1,000. That doesn't mean the pony is worth $1,000. The KEY to searching for Price Checks via Ebay is to make sure that you have checked the "SOLD ITEMS" box on the lower lefthand side of the page:

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(PC view)

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(Mobile view)




Always make sure the Sold Items box is checked:


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(PC view)


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(Mobile view)




Now the prices will show in GREEN, meaning that the item has sold for that price. This should help you in appraising your own items:


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(PC view)


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(Mobile view)




Always know the value of your ponies BEFORE you buy, sell, or trade!





Keys to getting your pricing just right:
  • Ask yourself: Would I rather sell quickly?
    • Price your items a bit lower.
    • Consider selling your items as a lot or a group.
  • Ask yourself: Would I rather get as much value as I can?
    • Price your items toward the upper end, but know they may take longer to sell.
    • Sell each item individually, but know it may take longer and will be more work and more transactions on your end.
 
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II. How to Sell on the MLPTP:

​
Once you know which ponies you have and how to price them, you're ready to sell! There are many great reasons to begin your selling right here at the MLPTP:

  • NO FEES! You are welcome to sell your goods here and NEVER incur any fees from us!
  • A kind and helpful community who will treat you with patience and respect as a seller.
  • Many experienced sellers at your fingertips to help you with any questions you may have about the selling process.
  • A skilled team of moderators who can assist you with any problems you may incur.

Once you are ready, it's time to construct your sales post. Here are some helpful and suggested things to include:
  • Clear photos of the item(s) you intend to sell.
  • A price for each item (or for a lot, if selling as a lot) and what denomination you are selling in (US Dollars, etc)
  • Either list the condition of your pony/ponies, or ask the buyer to message you for more information.
  • Country you are shipping from, and whether you will only ship within your country, or if you will ship worldwide.
  • If you do not yet have any feedback at the MLPTP, you are welcome to link your seller feedback from other places.
  • Be sure to thoroughly read our Buying / Selling / Trading Rules & How to Spot a Scammer thread:

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Members will likely contact you via Private Message to inquire about buying from you. You can access your messages by clicking the envelope at the top of the page next to your username.


How to calculate shipping:
  • If you have a small scale at home (a postage or kitchen scale, not one used to weigh people) and a ruler or tape measure, you can easily calculate shipping from your home.
  • For those in the USA, refer to these links:
  • If you are not able to calculate shipping at home, simply take your parcel to the nearest US Post Office for a shipping quote.
  • If you are going to add extra charges for packaging or handling, let your buyer know ahead of time.
  • Please note that there are additional services (Insurance, Signature Confirmation, etc) that will be optional.


Once you have received your payment:
  • Please ship within 7 days, unless discussed with your buyer beforehand. Always notify your buyer if you are delayed.
  • Packing items: People are paying you money for the item and shipping cost. Please give them the respect of packing their items well. Use common sense when packing up items:
    • Make sure all items in the order are packed with plenty of cushioning.
    • If an item is fragile, mail in a sturdy box and make sure all empty space is filled with packing material. If the empty spaces aren't filled, the box may collapse and be damaged in transit.
    • Use packing tape--not masking, craft, scotch, or duct tape. Tape securely.
    • Make sure the address and return address are clearly legible.
    • Retain receipts and tracking numbers.
    • Do NOT use newspaper or anything else with printed ink as the ink can bleed onto the items and stain them (unless you put the items in zip top baggies first and they avoid contact with the ink).
    • Never pack a pony that has been recently washed in a sealed plastic baggie or the remaining moisture could cause mold.
    • A good rule of thumb is to anticipate the very worst possible treatment of your box in transit, and protect against it as best you can.
    • Be sure to thoroughly read our Buying / Selling / Trading Rules & How to Spot a Scammer for more information:

Once your sale is complete, don't forget to leave feedback!
 
III. Selling on Other Platforms:
​

There are many other online platforms where you can sell your ponies, but there are several things to be aware of:
  • Other sites, like Ebay, can take as much as 30% of your profit in various fees.
  • MLPTP staff cannot intervene or assist you in the event of a problem on another platform.
  • Your selling audience may be higher, but it may not be worth spending the fees--that choice is entirely up to you!
Here is a basic rundown of what to expect from various online selling venues:


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Ebay www.ebay.com:

Pros:​
  • Large worldwide audience, which means more likelihood of selling.
  • I find the interface to be easy to work with, and there are lots of resources if you need to look up how to do something.
  • You're able to put in the EXACT dimensions and weight of each item to get very accurate shipping quotes.
  • Ebay offers multiple different shipping venues (UPS, USPS, FedEx, etc) but you can also ship on your own.
  • You can choose your shipping and handling time.
  • Ebay support is relatively easy to reach over the phone.
  • You can send photos to your buyers via private message.
  • You can include videos in your listing.
Cons:​
  • The fees are exorbitant. You can expect to lose about 30% of your profit to fees alone.
  • Ebay has a history of siding with the buyer, not the seller. You will have to work hard to dispute any negative feedback/etc.
  • If you have to cancel a sale for any reason, it can count against you and raise your fees.


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Facebook Marketplace www.FaceBook.com :

Pros:​
  • Somewhat large audience, which means more likelihood of selling.
  • Very simple interface.
  • You can include videos in your listing.
  • You can send photos to your buyers via private message.
Cons:​
  • There are fees associated with selling. You can expect to lose about 15% or more of your profit to fees alone.
  • There is no way to get an accurate shipping quote, as there are no specifics available for the size of your package. This can very easily lead to incorrect shipping quotes (especially for larger items) that will eventually come out of your pocket. For smaller items, this isn't really a problem though.
  • You have to ship within a certain time period, or you will lose the sale and be penalized.
  • If you cancel a certain percentage of orders (it may be as low as 1 in 3), your shipping ability will be revoked for at least 30 days.
  • There is almost no customer support service.
  • To my knowledge, you can not dispute any feedback issues.


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Mercari www.Mercari.com:

Pros:​
  • Somewhat large domestic audience, which means more likelihood of selling.
  • Very simple interface.
Cons:​
  • You can expect to lose about 20% of your profit to fees alone.
  • The interface will auto-fill what it THINKS you're selling as well as the price, so be VERY careful!
  • The shipping options leave a lot to be desired. The shipping quotes are overpriced and the options are very limited. You cannot send through Mercari via Media Mail. You cannot ship internationally. The only way around this is to make your item have free shipping, and try to guess how much it would be to ship anywhere in the country. Beware: it can cost more than twice as much to ship something across the country as it can to ship within your own state. The shipping options through Mercari are limited to UPS and USPS.
  • You must ship within 3 days or the sale will be canceled.
  • You cannot include videos in your listing.
  • You cannot send photos via the messaging system.
  • There is almost no customer support system.
  • You will not be paid until either you rate your buyer, or the system times out and eventually pays you.
  • You cannot see how a buyer has rated you until you rate them first.
  • To my knowledge, you cannot dispute any feedback issues.


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eCRATER www.ecrater.com:

Pros:​
  • Simple interface.
  • Almost no fees at all.
  • There is a feature that promotes your items via Google Shopping.
  • You can cancel any orders that you need to and it will not penalize you.
Cons:​
  • The shipping matrix (their shipping estimate system) leaves a lot to be desired. There is no way to get a fully accurate shipping quote using the dimensions AND weight of the item, as it goes by weight alone. This can very easily lead to incorrect shipping quotes (especially for larger items) that will eventually come out of your pocket. For smaller items, this isn't really a problem though.
  • Relatively small audience, as few people really know about it.
  • It doesn't always display as well as others on mobile devices.
  • No private message system (you will be given the buyer's email address to communicate).


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MLPTP www.MLPTP.net:

Pros:​
  • Simple interface.
  • NO FEES!
  • You can cancel any orders that you need to and you will not automatically be penalized in any way.
  • You can ship however you want to and using any venue you want to.
  • You can set your own shipping and handling times (within reason).
  • You can set your own terms of service (within reason).
  • The feedback you build here can be used as references for other ventures.
  • Friendly, accountable buyers and sellers.
  • You can send photos to your buyers via private message.
  • Moderator support is always available.
Cons:​
  • A relatively smaller audience compared to the large online selling companies.


If at any time you have any questions or need help with anything, please contact a moderator for assistance :)
 
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IV. Selling In Person:​

You may find yourself with an opportunity to sell your ponies via in-person means. Here are a few common examples, and their pros and cons:



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Facebook Marketplace www.FaceBook.com :

Pros:
  • By accepting payment in cash, Facebook will not collect any fees from you.
  • You will be able to bypass the entire shipping process.
  • If you choose to meet somewhere near where you might already be running errands/etc, you won't take a hit on gas money.
Cons:
  • Meeting up with strangers always carries a potential risk. We suggest:
    • ALWAYS meet at a public place where there are lots of people around.
    • ALWAYS meet during daylight hours OR in a very well-lit area.
    • ALWAYS tell a friend or family member where you are going.
    • ALWAYS be alert to your surroundings.
    • ALWAYS be ready to call for help.
    • NEVER carry cash or valuables on your person.
    • If you notice anything alarming about their conversation with you, their profile, or anything else that sets off red flags, consider cancelling the sale immediately. Trust your gut and use your best judgement.
    • Many police stations offer a "safe exchange zone" for exactly this purpose. Google "safe exchange zone" and your city to find one.
  • You will have to agree upon a public meeting place with your buyer.
  • You may get stood up by your buyer (or multiple), and lose your time and gas in the process.
  • Depending on how much you sell, you will be responsible for reporting income taxes.




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My Little Pony Conventions (such as the MLP Fair & Convention)

Pros:
  • You can accept cash, Paypal, or credit cards (if you have a Square/etc set up ahead of time). Note that non-cash methods will be subject to fees, but are worth it for the convenience.
  • You will be able to bypass the entire shipping process.
  • Buyers are able to see your items in person, making for far less questions to answer about conditions/etc.
  • There will be a LOT of buyers! This is your ideal pony-selling audience!
  • The cost of your admission and vendor booth includes a lot of other perks that make it well worth the cost if you are a pony fan or collector.
  • Pony people are the best! You can hang out behind your booth, make your sales, and chat with awesome people.
Cons:
  • In order to sell at a convention, you will have to pay for your own admission and vendor booth space. These are usually bundled together, but are also usually upwards of $100-$200 per table space. Tables may be 6ft or 8ft.
  • You will incur travel, lodging, and food expenses if the venue is not nearby.
  • Depending on how much you sell, you will be responsible for reporting income taxes and possibly collecting or reporting sales tax on your items.




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Pony Meets (such as the Maryland Pony Meet)

Pros:
  • You can accept cash, Paypal, or credit cards (if you have a Square/etc set up ahead of time). Note that non-cash methods will be subject to fees, but are worth it for the convenience.
  • You will be able to bypass the entire shipping process.
  • Buyers are able to see your items in person, making for far less questions to answer about conditions/etc.
  • The cost of your admission and vendor booth (if there is a cost) is much less than larger conventions.
  • There will be a LOT of buyers! This is your ideal pony-selling audience!
  • Pony people are the best! You can hang out behind your booth, make your sales, and chat with awesome people.
Cons:
  • In order to sell at a meet, you may have to pay for your own admission and vendor booth space.
  • You will incur travel, lodging, and food expenses if the venue is not nearby.
  • Depending on how much you sell, you will be responsible for reporting income taxes and possibly collecting or reporting sales tax on your items.




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Toy Shows

Pros:
  • You can accept cash, Paypal, or credit cards (if you have a Square/etc set up ahead of time). Note that non-cash methods will be subject to fees, but are worth it for the convenience.
  • You will be able to bypass the entire shipping process.
  • Buyers are able to see your items in person, making for far less questions to answer about conditions/etc.
  • If these events are close to you, you will not incur as much in the way of travel, lodging, and food expenses.
Cons:
  • There will be a cost for your admission and vendor booth, usually correlative to how large the event is.
  • Be prepared for your prices to NOT be received well by the general public if you are selling at collector value:
    • Non-collectors from the general public are unfamiliar with collector values, and may become frustrated, argumentative, or even hostile.
    • You are generally a bit less likely to make sales at collector values, but sales at a toy show could be considered more potentially successful than yard sales or flea markets.
  • Depending on how much you sell, you will be responsible for reporting income taxes and possibly collecting or reporting sales tax on your items.




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Flea Markets / Yard Sales

Pros:
  • You can accept cash, Paypal, or credit cards (if you have a Square/etc set up ahead of time). Note that non-cash methods will be subject to fees, but are worth it for the convenience.
  • You will be able to bypass the entire shipping process.
  • Buyers are able to see your items in person, making for far less questions to answer about conditions/etc.
  • There is usually little to no cost involved--the cost is more likely to involve a booth at a flea market.
  • If these events are close to you, you will not incur as much in the way of travel, lodging, and food expenses.
Cons:
  • In order to sell at a flea market, you will most likely have to pay for your own admission and vendor booth space.
  • Be prepared for your prices to NOT be received well by the general public if you are selling at collector value at a yard sale or flea market:
    • Non-collectors from the general public are unfamiliar with collector values, and may become frustrated, argumentative, or even hostile.
    • You are generally less likely to make sales at collector values.
    • This is generally not your best audience.
  • Depending on how much you sell, you will be responsible for reporting income taxes and possibly collecting or reporting sales tax on your items.
 
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